Prom night found Troy pacing back and forth in the Montez entryway, waiting for Gabriella to come down from getting ready. They had spent a few hours in the park after their shortened day at school and Troy had surprised her with a picnic lunch for the two of them at their shared spot in the park. It had been a perfect afternoon, but Troy now felt rather anxious just waiting for Gabriella to come down those stairs.

"Troy, relax. The limo is running a little early, she's on time," stated Taylor, who was dressed in a light pink satin halter dress with a slit running up her right leg. "I just checked up on her and she is almost ready. Do you need me to go up there again to check for a third time?"

Troy shook his head. "No, I know she is getting ready and she'll be down, but I'm just nervous for some reason."

"Well, it has been a while since you've been in this formal situation," commented Chad, dressed in a tux and actually wearing a pink bowtie to match Taylor's dress. "Guess the anticipation of how she looks is killing, huh?"

"Something like that," mumbled Troy as he continued the pacing.

Troy stopped though as he heard a soft clearing of the throat and looked up from where he was to view the entire image that was his girlfriend. Gabriella smiled down at him from the top of the stairs and started to walk down the stairs, holding onto the railing, while Troy appreciated the beauty before him. She was dressed in a strapless lavender dress that had a fitted bodice and then flowed out in a ball gown way, the top layer being of what looked like white lace with a slit that started at her waist where there was a sparkly broach and downwards, ending from her left front side to the bottom of the right side, revealing the pale lavender material underneath. Gabriella's hair was swept up entirely with a few curls framing her face with a heart shaped necklace with a few diamonds in it that Troy had given her some time ago.

"You look gorgeous," murmured Troy as she approached him finally, smiling up into his eyes. He leaned down quickly to capture her lips with his and grinned as he took in her slight blush. "Come here, I have your corsage."

A few snaps of light went off as Ms. Montez started taking pictures of the moments, just as she had earlier. Gabriella looked down at the corsage now sitting on her wrist before she picked up the coordinated flowered boutonniere she bought Troy and pinned it on him, noting that the lavender bowtie actually looked really good on him.

"Gabriella, I love this little lace train behind your dress," complimented Taylor. "I didn't even notice it in the store when we bought it."

"Thanks Taylor," replied Gabriella with a smile. "And I'm glad I persuaded you to get that dress! You look stunning!"

Both girls smiled at each other and then quickly posed with their boyfriends for some pictures before Gabriella retrieved her clutch and the camera from her mother, kissing her cheek, before the four headed out and joined the rest of the group in the stretch limo.

When they arrived at the luxurious hotel in downtown Albuquerque, Troy got out first and helped Gabriella out, still marveling at the beauty that was on his arm. Once everyone was out, they headed inside and went to the top floor, where they dined together at the restaurant of the hotel where the ball would be held in about two hours. They enjoyed each other's company and really savored the moment as they knew this was it, this would be the last formal dance of their high school years.

After the bills were paid, the group headed back down the elevators and joined up again, as they all couldn't fit in the elevators together, in the hotel's lobby. The music was already pumping down in the conference room and ballroom areas so they simply followed the sounds, knowing they got closer as the music got louder. Troy squeezed Gabriella's hand that was in his, which made her look up and smile at him. When everyone entered the main ballroom, they took in the lavish decorations and the lights spinning around the room from the DJ. They picked out a round table that would fit all of them off in the corner of the room while the guys already keyed in on the desserts, finger foods, and sodas that were laid out nearby. Before they could leave though, the girls insisted that they take their professional photos first before the guys got all messy, especially since most of them were gravitating towards the chocolate fountain, despite having just eaten dinner.

As soon as all the couples were done taking their pictures, they took a huge group one, one with all the guys, one with all the girls, and then one with just Chad, Taylor, Gabriella, and Troy together. Gabriella slipped her hand into the crook of Troy's elbow as they walked back to the table they picked out, seeing more people out on the dance floor.

"Dance with me?" asked Gabriella, knowing Troy wouldn't venture out on his own.

"You know I don't dance," returned Troy. "Why don't you go head out onto the floor with Audrina, Taylor, Kelsi, and Martha?"

"Fine, but you don't know what you are missing, Bolton," replied Gabriella with a smile. She kissed him briefly before she joined her girlfriends, who were waiting for her before they found a spot large enough for them to dance together in.

While the girls were dancing, the guys went over and visited the chocolate fountain finally, Zeke and Charles ending up with chocolate sauce on some part of their tuxedo. The guys enjoyed sitting and laughing together as they chomped away at their now chocolate covered strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels, and graham crackers while they watched their dates dancing together on the floor. As was usual, Ryan was the first to vacate the table to join his girlfriend and the others on the dance floor while the rest sat back and continued to eat and watch.

After some time of talking about future basketball possibilities, Chad looked over at Troy, who had been intensely watching Gabriella dance her little heart out. "You know, if you took a picture, it would last longer," kidded Chad, which earned him a smirk from his best friend. "Seriously, what are you going to do when Gab is at a totally different school than you, a whole different state for that matter?"

Troy shrugged. "We decided to give the long distance a shot. We've weathered quite a bit already, even you have to admit that."

"Yeah, that's true. Well good for you two, I'm glad man. Hey, are you and Gab going to the Evans after party?" asked Chad.

After throwing Chad a puzzled look, Troy responded, "Yes, I thought we all were after the dance is over."

Chad shook his head and dug in his pocket for something before he flashed Troy a plastic card. "Not me and Tay, tonight's the special night, my man."

"Whoa, are you serious?" questioned Troy, unsure if his best friend was playing with him or not. "You two actually agreed on tonight?"

"Yup, Taylor and I thought about it and we want our first times to be together and tonight, well tonight was as good as a night as any. I'm going to make it as special as I can, don't worry, but I think we are both ready. In case my folks ask, I stayed with you, all right?"

"Sure man. Wow, I would never have even thought of that."

"I'm kind of surprised you didn't. I think J has a room for him and Kelsi too."

Troy looked over at Jason, who shot him a grin, and saw that Chad was right. "Well, I don't know what to say but congratulations and good luck? I don't know, there is no specific thing to say for this, huh? No little cheesy greeting card saying?"

Chad and Jason laughed. "Nope, but we'll both have nights to remember, I think," replied Jason as he, Charles, and Zeke all started to join in on the conversation.

"Troy, you didn't get a room for you and Gab?" asked Zeke. "I thought for sure you would have."

"Nope, not our time, sorry boys. You will not be hearing my senior ball 'first time' story along with J and Chad tomorrow. Just doesn't feel right yet," replied Troy.

"Doesn't feel right or have you even broached the subject?" pushed Jason.

"The rest of you don't really know this besides Chad, at least from me, but the subject was a big sore point for me and Gabriella for a certain period of time this year, especially with what happened or looked like happened with Sharpay. After the accident, well, we decided it was something we wanted to take our time with," clarified Troy. "It's what she and I both want, honest."

"Really?" questioned Charles.

"Yes, really. Gabriella is someone very special to me and when the time is right, we'll both know it and it didn't even cross our minds tonight," replied Troy.

Jason and Zeke exchanged a look before they shouted out, "WHIPPED!"

Chad rolled his eyes at this. "Just ignore them, Troy. We all know how special this moment is, and if you and Gab aren't ready, you aren't ready. Every one of our friends is mature here and understands that, right?"

"Man, always have to ruin our fun when we finally bust in on Troy lately," complained Zeke.

"Not always, just on this subject. Dude, needle Jason about his special event tonight if you must tease someone, Zeke," said Chad. "Jason is always a great target."

Charles and Troy laughed as Zeke started eyeing Jason. "You have a very good point there, Chad, a very good point."

A slow song started to play and Troy smiled as he saw Gabriella turn her attention from her friends back over to the table, connecting her gaze with his. Without another word to the guys, he got up and walked over to the dance floor, taking Gabriella into his arms as he pulled her up against his body and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She tilted her head up so she could look up into his eyes, feeling the giddy feeling of being in love surface just by being in his arms.

"Have a good talk with the guys?" asked Gabriella as they swayed to the music.

"For the most part. Did you know that Taylor and Chad, along with Jason and Kelsi, got rooms together tonight?"

"To just stay here? Are they drunk or something? Taylor and Kelsi seem fine to me and we have the limo to drive."

Troy chuckled. "No, my sweet, naïve angel. They got rooms for something else."

It took her a moment, but Gabriella made an O shape with her mouth, indicating she understood. "No, I didn't know that. Then again, I'm sure I'll hear about it tomorrow. Taylor probably is still trying to decide until the last minute if she really wants to if I know her. That's most likely why she hasn't said anything to me. They didn't hassle you, did they?"

"Sort of," replied Troy, looking a bit sheepish. "But I put them in their place and they backed off."

"Do you wish we had a room tonight?" questioned Gabriella, searching Troy's gaze.

"Nope," answered Troy without hesitation. "I think we both would know without having to ask each other when it was the right time and since neither of us really even thought of it, I think it is safe to say that it isn't tonight."

Gabriella smiled. "I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderfully mature and understanding boyfriend."

"Nothing. It is me who is lucky to have you."

The two leaned their foreheads together as they continued to slow dance in a circle, ending the dance with a kiss that shot sparks through both of their bodies. They continued to dance to the slow songs and also through the fast songs, Gabriella managing to coax Troy into staying with her on the dance floor, especially when Kelsi and Taylor "mysteriously" disappeared from the ballroom with their boyfriends.

When the lights turned on, signaling the end of their senior ball, the gang that was leaving the hotel that night for the Evans after party gathered together and headed out to the limo. Charles, Zeke, and Troy all shared looks when they got into the limo while Ryan, Audrina, Gabriella, Martha, and Charles' and Zeke's dates just started talking about the fun they just had at their last East High dance.

By the time they got to the Evans' mansion, the party was in full swing as most of the other seniors invited had apparently ditched the prom early to hit up the party. "Figures. Oh well, I'm fashionably late to my own after party," said Ryan with a smile as he helped Audrina out.

"Let the fun begin!" hollered Zeke with a grin as he followed Ryan with his date on his arm.

"All I can say is thank God for official ditch day tomorrow," murmured Gabriella as she and Troy walked into the entryway of the mansion, the music pounding loudly from a room not far away.

Troy laughed. "Leave it to you to think about school at a time like this!"

Gabriella stuck out her tongue at him before they both laughed and made their way together through the crowds of mostly seniors and headed into the dance room. Immediately, Sharpay appeared in a pink strapless dress with the flared skirt covered in pink shimmering material.

"Glad you two could make it! Stayed for the whole dance like good seniors, didn't you?" stated Sharpay.

"Something like that," replied Troy. "Did you invite the whole senior class or something? It's packed!"

Sharpay scoffed. "As if! Only the best of East High and their dates. There could be a few losers somewhere but that's because they are dates, not A-list invitees."

Troy rolled his eyes. "I'm glad some things never change," he joked before taking Gabriella's hand in his again. "Well we'll let you go mingle some more, hostess."

"Thanks for inviting us, Sharpay," threw in Gabriella.

"Of course, now go have some fun!" exclaimed Sharpay before she went off to talk to another couple.

The couple headed outside and stepped out onto the patio, not surprised that the music was pumping out there as well from outside speakers. It was far less crowded than inside the mansion due to the slight chill in the air. Troy took of his jacket without a word and slipped it over Gabriella's shoulders, for which she gave him a grateful look. Neither said much while they gazed out at the Evans' gardens while also enjoying the clear sky and the stars that twinkled above. Troy wrapped his arms around her waist and allowed Gabriella to lean back into him, relaxing into his embrace. They stayed like that until Audrina and Ryan approached them.

"Ah, so this is where you two took off to," commented Audrina as she and Ryan approached the couple, hands intertwined. "We saw Zeke and Charles back in there with Martha but none of them had seen you in the past hour."

Gabriella smiled guiltily at her close friend. "Couldn't resist the opportunity for alone time out here. I'd say quiet but we can still hear the music just fine out here."

Audrina laughed. "Yup, the Evans have this house wired all right."

As Gabriella, Troy, and Audrina continued to talk, Gabriella noticed that Ryan wasn't saying much, if anything, just as he had behaved earlier on in the night around her. She tried to catch his gaze, but he kept avoiding it, avoiding looking at her and Troy both. 'Something isn't right,' she thought.

"Hey Troy? Why don't you and Audrina go back in and dance for a few songs? Audrina is a great dancer and it looks like Ryan is too tired to take her out on the dance floor," suggested Gabriella, knowing she needed to talk to her best friend alone.

"But Gabriella," started Troy.

"I know, I know, you don't dance but I think otherwise. Now please, show my good friend a great time out on that dance floor," begged Gabriella.

Troy let out a sigh. "Fine, but you better be here when I get back. No walking off with any handsome strangers, all right?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," replied Gabriella as she returned Troy's soft kiss before he and Audrina walked back into the house.

Once she saw the two go through the French doors, Gabriella turned her attention to Ryan, who was still standing in the same spot and avoiding her at all costs. "All right, Evans. What is going on?" demanded Gabriella but in a soft voice. "You don't want to look at me or talk to me and this isn't usual best friend behavior."

"It's nothing," got out Ryan, turning his head in the opposite direction.

Gabriella studied his profile for a few moments and sighed. Her instincts told her something was wrong, that Ryan was hiding something, but without him owning up to it, Gabriella would never know what was going on. "You know I'm just concerned about you, right? Is it Audrina?"

"No, well not really."

"Come on, Ryan, talk to me. You've got me all sorts of worried and I do not believe that 'nothing' answer for a second. We've always been able to talk."

"That's just it. We have been able to talk about anything, but I just don't know how to talk to you about this," admitted Ryan finally before he ventured a look into her concerned brown eyes. "Look, I have issues, I know that I do."

"So talk to me, that's what best friends are for," replied Gabriella. She gently grabbed onto his hand and felt him jerk a little before Ryan allowed her to lead them over to some lawn chairs nearby. "Tell me what's going on. Is it this whole losing virginity thing on senior ball night that was the subject of talk in the limo?"

Ryan shook his head. "Nope. I'm happy for those two couples back at the hotel, but that's not my concern."

"So what is it then?"

"This," said Ryan, holding up his hand that still was held by hers, meeting her gaze for a second before he looked away again.

Gabriella stared at their joined hands for a moment before it clicked. "Oh Ryan," she started.

"Don't! I don't want your pity, Gabriella. It's my own problem and I'll deal with it."

She just shook her head at this. "No, it's our problem, together Ryan. I honestly didn't think you felt for me that way anymore."

"Just because you got over me so quickly and moved on with Troy doesn't mean that I could let go of you that easily and that quickly," replied Ryan, turning his gaze back to her. "I agreed with the breakup because I do really care for Audrina, but I've come to realize that I felt so much more when I was with you. I think I'm going to break up with her next week. It's just not fair to her, especially with me going to New York."

"And here I thought you were fine, that you were happy with her. Why didn't you say anything sooner, Ryan?"

"Because I didn't want to have this conversation and see that sympathy in your eyes that you have right now, Gabriella, because I wanted to remain best friends to have you in my life in whatever capacity I could. Just, for some reason lately, I can't get what you mean to me and my feelings for you out of my head or my heart, as much as I try."

"Does Audrina know any of this?"

"No, I wouldn't dare to hurt her so much. Audrina has been nothing but wonderful to me, which is why I owe her to be honest next week. I know I'm going to break her heart, I will be breaking mine as well, but I can't be with someone else when my thoughts are on you, Gabriella. Look, I'm not asking for us to get back together, I know how much you and Troy love each other. I just, I don't know, I just had to tell you for some reason, so someone would know, but I just didn't even want to do that because I knew it would change things between us."

"Well I'm glad you didn't fully internalize this and you did talk to me, even if I had to pull it out of you. Ryan, nothing is going to change between you and me, I promise. You are an amazing guy, someone I feel totally and utterly comfortable being with while being in my own skin, no pretenses. I think what we said in the fall is true, if there was an alternate universe where there was no Troy in my life, I'd be so happy over heels in love with you. To be honest, part of my heart will always be yours. We're soul mates Ryan, just not on that relationship type of level, at least this time around."

Ryan took in a deep breath and let it out, nodding his head in the process. "I know, and I wish it was different but I understand completely. That is why after all I've been trying to help you and Troy weather all these different problems together, even talking to Troy myself the night of that alumni event where he showed up as Sharpay's date."

"You talked to him that night?"

"Yup, I couldn't stand to see you hurt anymore. Had I known then that Sharpay had even more up her sleeve, I don't know if I would have done that any differently, but I know, had it not been for my sister, you and Troy never would have had the problems you have had, been apart as much as you have."

"You don't know that though, Ryan, and to be honest, in some ways, I can say that I'm glad that Sharpay did what she did. If she hadn't, Troy and I wouldn't have had a true tested relationship and I would have never have gotten to know you like I do now. Ryan, what we shared this past summer and in the fall, that meant a lot to me, and I will not be forgetting those moments any time soon. What we have shared as best friends since then is just as precious to me because you, Ryan, mean that much to me. I can't imagine my life without you in it and I'm glad you are going to school in New York so we won't be that far away from each other," said Gabriella, who then paused. "Wait, is it sick that I'm happy Sharpay caused all that heartache?"

Ryan shook his head and chuckled a little. "Not sick at all, it makes sense. I don't think you'd invite her to do so again, but I think I know what you are saying, things happen for a reason. Look Gabriella, now that you know what I feel, I don't want things to change. You'll always be my music angel and you'll always have a part of my heart, but I know that I need to move on. Who knows what will happen when I get to NYU after all this, but the one thing I do know is that you mean quite a bit to me, Gabriella, and nothing will change that."

"You mean the world to me too, Ryan. I don't ever want to think of a life without you again."

The two shared a long hug, Ryan savoring the moment of having Gabriella in his arms, even if it was a fleeting moment in the aspect of life, and pulled away after she trembled a little. "You're cold, we better get you back inside."

Gabriella smiled as she took his offered hand up from the chair. "You know, I think when you meet the perfect girl for you, she'll be the luckiest girl on this planet to have you as her main man. It could be next year at NYU or it could be when you are on Broadway, but I will be there to make sure she fully appreciates the wonderfulness that is Ryan Evans."

Ryan grinned back at his best friend. "Have I mentioned lately how cute you are? So me being all emotional and honest back there doesn't change anything for you?"

Gabriella shook her head. "Never. I feel bad that I can't do more for you than be your best friend here but I know that you understand. Ryan, if nothing else, you will always be my best friend, through thick and thin, time and distance. It means even more to me to hear that you have been trying to help me patch things up with Troy in ways I didn't even know about, especially knowing how you feel. If you didn't have such a big heart like I know you do, I would have expected Sharpay type behavior that capitalized on the trouble but you didn't. Instead, you fought to try to keep me happy, and for those selfless acts, I will always be in your debt."

"No, no debts here. Just deep, lifelong friendship," returned Ryan with a smile, which she returned.

The two entered the mansion once again and saw that some of the crowd had left, probably because it was getting late in the hour. They made their way over to the dance room in search of Audrina and Troy, finding Audrina talking to one of her junior friends in the corner of the dance room while Gabriella still sought out Troy, who wasn't with her. Gabriella's gaze froze as she finally spotted the familiar brown haired boyfriend of hers dancing rather closely with an all too familiar blonde. She watched as Sharpay grinded up on Troy a little and noted that he didn't back away at all. 'Well, what do you expect, Gabriella? That he would be rude and shove her away? It's just dancing and Sharpay has proven over the last few weeks that she has changed, or at least tried to,' she thought, startled a little when Ryan put a hand on her shoulder.

"Want me to kick his behind for being that close to my twin?" offered Ryan with a grin to let Gabriella know he was teasing.

"No, if anyone is going to do that, I'm going to have the satisfaction of doing the kicking," returned Gabriella with a smile before she left her best friend to approach the pair on the dance floor. "Mind if I cut in?"

Troy looked over at Gabriella and gave her a relieved look to see her. "Please," said Troy as he stepped away from Sharpay and indicated Gabriella with a tilt of his head.

Sharpay smiled and nodded her head before she wandered off into the crowd again. "Was it that bad?"

He couldn't help but roll his eyes. "No seductive moves, but she is still a total flirt. Honestly, I could kill Audrina for leaving me with her."

Gabriella let out a small giggle before she said, "Aww, the big tough Wildcat Superstar can't handle a little Sharpay?"

"A little Sharpay? Where have you been all these months?"

She smiled up at him before she kissed him softly. "Right here, battling by your side, as I will continue to be for a long time coming."

"And for that, I am very thankful. So, how'd the talk go with Ryan?" asked Troy as he kept his arms around his girlfriend, ignoring the fast beats of the music.

"To be honest, it went well. We had a good heart to heart," replied Gabriella.

"Do I have to worry that he's swooping in now and stealing my girl away?" joked Troy, unaware of how close to the truth he was.

Gabriella took a moment before she answered. "Troy, we've agreed that this relationship is based on trust and I think we've done well with it so far, but I want you to also know that I think a relationship that is long distance is also based on open communication and honesty. For that reason, I'm telling you, that Ryan and I talked about something that I want you to have an open mind about." After seeing Troy's worried look but reluctant nod, she continued. "Ryan still has feelings for me but is also grown up to know that nothing is going to happen between us because of you and my love for you."

"So my gut was right, I do need to worry about him," replied Troy as he looked around the room and spotted Ryan.

Gabriella felt his body tense and started to make soothing circle patterns on his lower back in an attempt to ease it out of him. "No, you don't."

Troy turned his gaze back to his girlfriend. "How can you say that?"

"Because, I know Ryan and I know he would never lie to me. Ryan is a romantic at heart and he recognizes true love when he sees it. Yes, if you weren't in the picture, maybe Ryan and I would still be together, but you are and I am happy for it. Troy Bolton, despite everything that has happened in the past year and a half, I still believe you are the guy for me, the man I see in my future, by my side as not just my love interest but also the bestest of best friends."

As he continued to look at her, Troy saw the sincerity and the truth of her words in her face, but most importantly her brown eyes. "God, how I love you, Gabriella Montez. I know that Ryan would be crazy not to care for you still and in truth, I recognized he did that night at the alumni event when he talked about stepping aside for us to be together. I know I can trust you and him together as best friends and it means even more to me to hear you say what you have, especially because I believe you are the woman for me too. Wow, what a way to end our senior ball, huh?"

Gabriella laughed. "Nothing like some drama and a bit of jealousy, huh? But truly, are you all right with this? With me and Ryan still being best friends?"

Troy gave it some good thought before he nodded his head. "Yeah, I am, because I trust you both and know what it's like to lose you as a girlfriend. If he is happy with being your best friend and just that, I'm not one for depriving him of that, especially knowing I have you here in my arms. And, I'm happy that you told me. I guess that was our first open, honest, dialogue that we will be having multiple times through these next four years, huh?"

"Yup, and I think we did just fine. So, are you ready to head out? I know the gang is supposed to meet up at my house in the morning, well later this morning, to take that drive out to the water park. You still want to go?"

"But of course. Ditch day wouldn't be the same without my special young woman in my life and my best and close friends," answered Troy. "Do we call a cab?"

"No, Ryan mentioned something earlier in the limo about just asking one of their drivers to take us home."

Troy nodded and reluctantly let go of Gabriella's waist but settled for holding her hand in his. "Better say good-bye to our host and hostess."

They found Sharpay first and said pleasant good-byes, Gabriella just smiling through it as Sharpay hugged Troy for a moment longer than really was necessary after she had hugged Gabriella moments before. Next, they found Ryan and Audrina and said their good-byes, Gabriella giving Audrina a big squeeze and then hugging Ryan just the same, giving him a kiss on the cheek before they pulled away.

When the car finally came around, Troy helped Gabriella in and sighed in contentment as she immediately dropped her head onto his shoulder when he wrapped his left arm around her. He kissed the top of her head as the car started to drive off first to her house and then his. 'This is what it all means, finding love as one of your greatest goals in life. I can't imagine being any happier than I am to have Gabriella by my side.'

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